Re: Linux? I'm tired of being the oddball in the group. It's not worth it. Hello OSX.

From: TheLetterK (theletterk_at_spymac.nosppam.com)
Date: 07/13/05 

Date: Tue, 12 Jul 2005 19:32:52 -0400

neilnewsgroups@hotmail.com wrote:
>
> TheLetterK wrote:
>
>>Emmanuel Arias wrote:
>
>
> (snip)
>
>
>>>So now that I am a college freshman to be, I am encountering one
>>>obstacle after another just because I use Linux. It seems that the
>>>computing centers at virtually every single school I've applied to are
>>>only supporting OSX and Windows, and only certain versions of Windows.
>
>
>>Typically when they say 'we only support OS X and Windows', that means
>>'We won't help you with Linux problems'.
>
>
> Another reason for the OP to move to OS X or Windows.
>
>
>>>If that were just it I wouldn't have a problem but it is not that
>>>simple. For the accounting program there are various items of software
>>>that must be purchased and the textbooks and curriculum are based upon
>>>that software.
>>>In addition I have been told that I will receive many canned
>>>spread*** programs that will only run under Excel.
>>
>>So buy Crossover Office, VMWare,
>
>
> But these are just workarounds. I think it makes more sense to accept
> and follow his school's requirements.
Workarounds that are very acceptable solutions. Why pay more for *no
reason*? It's the same apps that everyone else uses, just in a different
environment. I don't see how this is at all an issue, if all of the apps
he works with will work with Crossover Office.

>
>
>>or just dual boot with Windows.
>
>
> I see your point, but it might simplify his life to stick with one of
> the two OS's that his school supports while he's in school. He won't be
> graded on how many OS's he can run on his PC, so he might as well run
> only one, OS X or Windows.
Any particular reason? If Linux works, why not stick with what he has?
If it's not broken, don't fix it.

>
>
>>All of them are certainly cheaper than a Mac.
>
>
> I don't think money's an issue here. If the OP can afford tuition, he
> can afford a new PC.
Right--because he has money he should waste it. Wouldn't it be better to
pay off his student loan, or save it, or invest it, or whatever? There's
no reason to be running OS X or Windows in the situation he has
described. It's a waste of time and money to switch platforms in that
position.

>
> (snip)
>
>
>>>To be honest maybe this is a good thing for me because I am discovering
>>>that in leaving the sheltered world of a typical high school student
>>>and starting to enter the real world (I hate that term!) it is quite
>>>obvious that the world runs on Windows or Macintosh and Linux and Linux
>>>support is almost impossible to find.
>
>
>>That's why you provide it for yourself.
>
>
> But that's another burden for somebody who will have plenty of
> schoolwork and other matters to contend with.
A whole two hours at the start of the year. Whatever shall he do?!

>
> Heck, why is everything in newsgroups always either/or? The OP can
> still dabble in Linux in his spare time, if he likes, while meeting his
> school's requirements and working in OS X or Windows.
It's still a waste of money to do so. I don't understand his
logic--we've shown ways in which Linux will work just fine, yet he seems
intent on avoiding solutions in favor of bashing a platform.

>
> (snip)
>
>
>>>So now I am looking at a new G5 system because I can't stomach the
>>>thought of using Windows.
>>>Maybe I am copping out, but honestly I can't see myself having to jump
>>>through hoops for the rest of my life just to use Linux.
>
>
>>Won't be 'the rest of your life', not even a decade.
>
>
> True.
>
>
>>It'll get
>>progressively easier once Linux hits critical mass on the desktop (in
>>three years or so there should be more desktop Linux users than Mac
>>users, assuming the trend continues with any degree of accuracy).
>
>
> And assuming that happens, the OP's background in Linux will be useful
> to him. But in the world of big business in the US, most likely what
> his future employer will provide is Windows and MS Office, and at least
> with the Mac or a Wintel PC he can get MS Office (with student
> discount, only $60-$70 for the student version with three installs, at
> least at my local college) and do compatible work with both Mac and
> Wintel users.
He can use MS Office on Linux, using Crossover OFfice. That's all this
has been about. Rather than spending $75 for Crossover Office, he'd
rather drop at least $500 on a new Mac. Makes no sense whatsoever.

>
> I think that'll be easier than using substitute/workaround Linux
> software instead of MS Office.
He'd still be using Microsoft Office. Just like the rest of the class.

> There will probably be times when he'll
> be collaborating with other students in work and study, so that's
> another reason it makes sense for him to use OS X or Windows.
How so?

>
>
>>>It's just not worth the time and the effort and the consequences of
>>>using a mostly orphan desktop operating system could effect my grades
>>>and chances for internships.
>
>
>>I don't see how it could effect your grades, or chance for an
>>internship.
>
>
> Having to deal with workarounds and avoiding what his school requires
> could be a distraction. The school wants to give him OS X and Windows
> support and so I think it makes sense to accept that.
It still doesn't explain why his grades would suffer. Really, we're
talking less than 5 hours worth of work, one time. It's not going to
make a measurable impact on his grades or personal value.

>
> But it's not like he has to marry one OS and forsake all others. He can
> still dabble in Linux. Heck, he can keep his old PC, buy a new Mac, and
> use Linux, OS X, and Windows too, if he wants to. But it'll probably be
> easiest for him to pick one of the two OS's that his school (in
> essence) requires.
It just makes no sense to do so. His existing system will work fine in
this situation, so why buy a new one?

>
>
>>If anything, it would reflect highly upon your personal
>>convictions and dedication.
>
>
> That's an interesting POV, but I think any student should focus on
> simplifying his life so that he can focus on schoolwork and learning
> what he's required to learn.
>
>
>>>Linux is just not worth it.
>
>
>>I disagree.
>
>
> In the OP's situation, I can see why he'd want to move to what his
> school offers.
I can't. His school wants him to use Microsoft Office. Fine. Run it on
Linux with Crossover OFfice. What's the problem?

>
> To simplify things, let's imagine that his school only supports and
> recognizes work done to be down black ballpoint pens. All assignments
> require black ballpoint pens and that's all his professors and the
> other students will use.
So my pen that can write in black, red, and blue ink wouldn't work for
submitting results that must be in black ink? He'd be using the same
application under my proposal as he would be otherwise.

> Even if he strongly prefers blue rollerball
> pens, for the sake of being compatible with what goes on in school,
> he's smart to start using black ballpoint pens to be compatible with
> the school's needs and the requirements he needs to meet.
That's not at all the situation--in this case it would be a ballpoint
pen capable of writing with multiple types of ink. It would be utterly
indistinguishable from a regular black ballpoint pen to those in charge.

>
> And he can always use the blue rollerball pens in his spare time or
> wherever it's not a hassle with the school.
>
> Or say he was going to a military academy. But even if he dislikes
> uniforms, it could make sense for him to start wearing the uniform,
> given that that's what the school will want him to do and will support
> wearing uniforms.
A more correct analogy would be a cotton uniform compared with a
silk-lined one. Those looking at you would never see the difference.

>
> In closing, one of the nice things about Linux is that it doesn't have
> to be an either/or thing. People can still use OS X or Windows too.
It just makes no sense to pay extra for nothing. His product will be the
same--and both OS X and Windows will probably cause a lot more trouble
over the couse of the year.

>
> (snip)
>

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